I tried my first genuine Georgian meal in Zugdidi with my friend and her family. The table was filled with a variety of dishes. Even after I had already insisted I was full, they kept filling up my plate to make sure I wouldn't go hungry. Enjoying a meal with the locals gives a person insight into the families that make up this beautiful country.
In Zugdidi, they have a local dish called Gomi. It is similar to a ball of sticky corn that you serve hot. Once it lands in front of you, you push multiple pieces of cheese into the dough. You let it sit for a few minutes so the cheese can melt before eating it. Then, you put some hot sauce on top. It is a very delicious and filling meal.
It was surprising at first. Some of the foods appear bland, but once you take that first bite, an array of flavours dance on your tonuge. Most Georgian dishes contain walnuts, my favorite nut. They put them in soups, rolls and dips. I have had no complaints about the food yet.
The food is prepared in a kitchen that is nearly under the household, hidden away from visitors. It's cooked on an old stove top. Georgians make their meals similar to how they would have been prepared decades ago. I feel that helps keep the amazing flavor in the food.
